Holding on to Forever

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas

As always I'm happy to have feedback on improvements I can make, especially any technical/medical differences between the UK and USA.

As always I apologise for the delay, it's no excuse but things have been manic since I last posted and I've really been struggling. Dad has been in and out of hospital, 2 heart attacks and other complications have left me running on empty. With that in mind and now the fact that my kids are off school due to Corona Virus I am leaving this story here. I hope one day I may return to add more chapters. In retrospect I shouldn't have started posting before I had finished writing. Take care everyone and stay safe.

Anyway enough of me - here goes.

. . .

For the first time in twenty four hours Derek felt good, okay maybe that was pushing it, but he definitely felt a lot better. The fresh Chicago air hit hard as he pounded along the streets in time to the music throbbing through his ears. As soon as he woke that morning he knew this was the escape he needed. His body was craving the physical release of a good run and his mind was desperate for the space to process the night before.

Waking up fully clothed this morning had been testament enough that he had fallen asleep during his chat with Penelope. However the playful text scolding him for falling asleep on her and "denying her precious beauty sleep" had confirmed that her dulcet tones had worked their magic on him the night before. He had been exhausted, both physically and mentally, after the heated debates and hours of just sitting in silence together that followed. It was amazing how tiring 'nothing' was.

However today was different, he was up and out of the house before anyone else had shown a sign of being awake. Though he had suspected he wasn't the only one lacking sleep at the moment. As much as he had wanted to spend as much time with his family as possible, he now sought a moment of solitude. So he had headed out, determined to sort himself out so he could support his family as best as he could. Rounding another corner he focused on all the changes happening in the neighbourhood. Nothing stayed the same, though there had been plenty of room for improvement in the area. It definitely seemed to be happening. As he watched workmen setting up for the morning outside an apartment block his music was interrupted by his phone ringing. Barely missing a beat of his pace he looked at his cell and smiled as he accepted the call.

"Do I have to apologise straight away or can I make it up to you when I get back?" his smile widened as he spoke.

"If I am going to have to wait until your return Hot Stuff it had seriously better be worth it," Penelope teased back.

"Oh it will be, though I'm surprised you're up and not catching up on your missed beauty sleep. How can I help?"

"Actually I was wondering how I can help? I was worried about you after last night and wanted to check if you were ok."

Derek could hear the concern in Penelope's voice. "I'm all better after speaking to my Solace last night."

"That's good to hear. How are things this morning?"

Derek took the final turn as he headed back towards his Mom's, "I decided to head out for a run to try and clear my head before we all get together again today. We are supposed to be heading out for lunch, there's a new place Mom's spotted she wanted to try, but . . ."

"But what?"

"I think we'll wait and see how everyone is doing this morning first."

"D, listen to me, if it's what your Mom wants, do it. Now is not the time to put it off until next time. Don't have this sort of thing hanging over your head. No regrets, please."

Slowing outside his Mom's, Derek lent against the wall, taking in what Pen had said, "Yeah Babe, you're right," he sighed.

"Of course I am, and if you just always remember that it will save a lot of debates."

Smiling once more Derek could imagine the grin on Pen's face, finishing the call up with an additional round of flirting he headed back inside. Whatever happened with his Mom over the coming days, weeks, months and hopefully years, he knew he would be alright as he had a safe place to retreat to, and someone special waiting for him there. He knew that he could rely on her one-hundred percent. Since finding out about his Mom's cancer he had put everything on hold, yet he hadn't really processed everything at the same time. Talking to Pen helped, beyond words. She truly was his Solace.